Warriors PF David Lee undergoes hip surgery

ANTONIO GONZALEZ

May. 30, 2013

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors All-Star power forward David Lee had surgery Thursday to repair a torn right hip flexor, an injury that forced him out of the starting lineup and limited his minutes in the playoffs.

The procedure was performed by Dr. William Meyers at the Vincera Institute in Philadelphia, the team said. Lee will start rehabilitation in the next 10 to 14 days.

No further timetable on his recovery was announced. At the end of last season, Lee had surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle and returned before the start of training camp.

Lee hurt his hip in the playoff opener at Denver on April 20, when he banged into JaVale McGee on a drive and landed on his right side. The team originally called it a season-ending injury, but Lee made a surprising return off the bench in the Game 6 clincher at home against the Nuggets.

After sitting out the first two games in the second round against San Antonio, Lee's minutes increased over the final four contests. He finished the playoffs — the first appearance of his eight-year career — averaging 5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game.

During the regular season, he averaged 18.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Lee led the NBA with 56 double-doubles and became Golden State's first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997.

While the Warriors made a remarkable run in the playoffs without Lee, general manager Bob Myers insisted at his season-ending news conference May 20 that Lee will remain an integral part of the team next season. Lee has three years left on a six-year deal worth about $80 million.